Premier Li supports Yunnan's opening-up

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C rear), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, joins a discussion with deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from southwest China's Yunnan Province during the second session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2014.(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, March 7 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged on Friday the southwestern province of Yunnan to step up its opening-up to Southeast Asia, promising central government support.

The central government will support Yunnan's development through opening up, said Li, when joining the legislators from the province in a panel discussion at the ongoing parliamentary session.

Yunnan should "accelerate to build a bridgehead for the opening-up towards the southwest (in Asia), and be a good file leader for the country's economic cooperation with southeast Asia and other neighboring regions," Li told the deputies to the National People's Congress, the top legislature.

Li also urged Yunnan to develop eco-friendly industries, and continue to do a good job in poverty alleviation.

During the discussion, Li reiterated that violence and terrorism must be resolutely checked and cracked down upon.

A terrorist attack at a railway station in Kunming, provincial capital of Yunnan, left 29 civilians dead and more than 140 people injured a week ago.

The premier also attended the panel discussion of legislators from north China's Shanxi Province.

Shanxi, as a main base of energy resources, should try harder to improve the quality and efficiency of its economy, he said.

He encouraged the province to speed up restructuring its coal mining-dominated industry and develop clean energy.

Li also urged the province to improve the living conditions of people in rundown neighborhoods.